Operations Technician III - Public Works, Bureau of Utilities, Water Reclamation

Salary : $48,194.00 - $92,914.00 Annually
Location : Savage, MD
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 25-00176
Department: Public Works
Division: DPW - Waste Water Laboratory
Opening Date: 09/20/2024
Closing Date: Continuous
POSITION SUMMARY/CLASS DESCRIPTION
Howard County:
Conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington, Howard County offers the charm of a historic past mixed with the excitement of a cosmopolitan community.
Howard County Government:
Howard County Government is a leader in innovation, best practices and sustainability. It is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the country. In 2024, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 63 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) - the most awards in the state of Maryland, and the fifth highest in the nation, as compared to more than 3000 counties. NACo Achievement Awards are the premier national honor to recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policy making.
What are we looking for?
We are looking for outstanding individuals to join our team and contribute to excellence in Howard County operations.
What you'll like most about working at Howard County Government:

• We are committed to workplace excellence in every area of County government.
• We have a highly talented, diverse, and inclusive workplace. Your input will not only be heard, but it will be encouraged!
• We offer competitive compensation and great benefits including medical, retirement, and wellness programs.
• As a member of the Howard County Government team, you'll be helping drive our culture and directly impact what makes us an amazing place to work.

POSITION SUMMARY/CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Skilled laboratory testing and analytical work at the Little Patuxent Wastewater Treatment Plant.
STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:
$23.17 - $26.14
$48,194 - $54,371
CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Performs advanced, technical level operations service work under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior. Work involves the collection, testing and reporting of water and wastewater samples. Maintains and calibrates instruments, prepares chemical reagents and bacteriological media, operates testing equipment, completes spreadsheets and submits required reports, and maintains quality control of samples and the testing laboratory.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Operates instrumentation and conducts analytical tests on wastewater, drinking water and samples from the wastewater treatment process.
Performs wet-chemistry and microbiological testing.
Assembles and calibrates analytical instrumentation.
Performs and reports quality control testing for all laboratory analyses.
Collects daily samples of treatment plant influent, partially treated wastewater, sludge, effluent and other byproducts of the wastewater treatment process.
Prepares chemical reagents, standards, and bacteriological media, stains, and other test solutions routinely used in laboratory.
Maintains test result and quality control records; prepares data sheets and spreadsheets.
Prepares reports for the Environmental Protection Agency, Maryland Department of the Environment, Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, engineering consultants, and Howard County Agencies: Bureau of Utilities and Bureau of Environmental Services.
Cleans, repairs, maintains and stores laboratory instruments and equipment.
Maintains service records on laboratory instrumentation and equipment.
Maintains laboratory supply inventory.
Places direct orders for supplies and equipment.
Assists with the process control section's responsibilities as needed. Examples of such responsibilities: Process Control; Industrial Waste Monitoring; Engineering
Assists with the administration section's responsibilities as needed.
Is responsible for adherence to County and plant policies and procedures.
May direct plant operators and other plant personnel in performing routine tests.
A Laboratory Technician assumes the responsibility as lead worker for all laboratory personnel in the absence of the Laboratory Supervisor.
This position is emergency essential, and, as such, the incumbent may be required to report for regular work shift during inclement weather, or then when an emergency situation arises.
MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
High School Diploma or GED and four (4) years related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Some college science courses or related subjects at the college level.
One (1) year experience with professional laboratory work.
A working knowledge of Excel spreadsheet manipulation.
Ability to work closely with the other laboratory technicians as a team.
Ability to work some weekends on a rotating schedule.
Ability to learn microscopy.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand. The employee frequently is required to walk. The employee is occasionally required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel or crouch; talk or hear; and smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, outside weather conditions, and risk of electrical shock. The employee is routinely exposed to bacteria inherent in raw sewage. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS AND REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to read and interpret documents such as scientific procedure manuals, operating and maintenance instructions, and safety rules. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, yields, and volume. Ability to work with scientific units of measure. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Ability to adapt to frequent changes in workload. Strong organizational skills. Ability to learn to recognize deviations in the wastewater treatment process through field observations and the interpretation of laboratory data.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS
Class C Maryland Driver's License or equivalent issued by state of residence.
Within 30 days of employment: Certification as a microbiology analyst from the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and Maryland Department of the Environment certification to collect drinking water samples.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
TO APPLY: You must complete an employment application online to be considered for this recruitment. Resumes cannot be substituted for completion of the job application work history. No paper applications will be accepted.
Selected candidates may be subject to drug screening, background screening, and reference checks.
At time of application, please submit a copy of any college degree, coursework, licenses, or certifications that you have referenced on your application. Applicants who have education obtained outside of the U.S. may need to provide proof of the equivalent U.S. education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service, such as the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services ( or World Education Services: International Credential Evaluation (
Howard County Government is not sponsoring employees in application of the H-1B Visa or providing an extension of an existing H-1B Visa. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
Howard County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. The County prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodations during the hiring process should contact the Office of Human Resources directly at . Requests for accommodations should not be attached to the application.
The following is a summary of the benefits available to Howard County employees who hold full-time benefit-eligible positions. Employees in positions covered by a bargaining agreement should consult their union contract for other specific benefits. Additional details are also available in the Employee Manual and in summary plan descriptions which are available in the Office of Human Resources or at
FLEXIBLE BENEFITS PLAN: Under the County's flexible benefits plan called CountyFlex, employees may elect to enroll in medical insurance plans, dental insurance plans, optional life insurance, dependent life insurance, and healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts. Employee contributions to these benefits are made on a pre-tax basis. Information concerning enrollment options, plan rates and a benefits comparison chart are available in the Office of Human Resources.
GROUP TERM LIFE INSURANCE: Employees receive a group term life insurance benefit equal to 2 times their annual salary at no cost. Accidental death and dismemberment coverage is included. The County pays the entire cost for this benefit. Employees may purchase additional coverage under the CountyFlex benefits plan.
PAID LEAVE BENEFITS: Annual and Disability Leaves are accrued over 24 pay periods each year. Personal leave is credited on January 1st each year. Use of Annual, Disability and/or Personal Leave requires supervisory approval.
ANNUAL LEAVE: During the first 5 years of employment, employees accrue the equivalent of 13 days per year. From years 6 through 10, the accrual is the equivalent of 16 days per year. From years 11 through 20, the accrual is the equivalent of 19 days per year. From year 21 on, the accrual is the equivalent of 21 days per year. Annual leave may not be used during the first 6 months of employment. A maximum of 40 days may be carried over from one fiscal year to the next.
DISABILITY LEAVE: Employees accrue the equivalent of 1 day per month (12 days per year). There is no maximum accrual. This leave may be used for the disabling illness/injury of the employee, spouse or minor child or for a serious medical condition approved under F.M.L.A. Absences of over 3 days must be substantiated by a physician's certificate.
PERSONAL LEAVE: Employees receive 6 personal leave days each calendar year to be taken during the calendar year. Employees hired after April 30th receive 4 days of personal leave that year; those hired after August 31st receive 2 days; and those hired after November 30th receive no personal leave for that year. Personal leave may not be carried over.
HOLIDAYS: Employees are paid for the following holidays:
New Year's Day; Martin Luther King Day; President's Day; Good Friday; Memorial Day; Juneteenth; Independence Day; Labor Day; Columbus Day; Veteran's Day; Thanksgiving Day; Friday after Thanksgiving Day; Christmas Day.
OTHER PAID LEAVE: Other paid leave will be granted for approved jury duty, military leave, bereavement leave and official leave. Unpaid leave will be granted in accordance with the Family and Medical Leave Act.
RETIREMENT: Howard County sponsors a defined benefit plan for its employees. participation in the plan is mandatory. Employees are required to make contributions to the plan, which are taken on a pre-tax basis. Contribution rates are dependent upon the plan in which the employee participates (general plan, or police and fire plan). The County contributes an additional percentage sufficient to ensure that each plan is adequately funded. Complete details are available in the summary plan descriptions which are available in the Office of Human Resources.
Howard County Retirement Plan: Employees contribute 3% of salary to the plan. Sheriff Deputies hired after 7/1/2021 contribute 8.5% of salary to the plan. All eligible Corrections Employees must enroll in the Corrections Employees Enhanced Benefit and must contribute 8.5% of salary to the plan.
Howard County Police and Fire Employees' Retirement Plan: Sworn police officers and career firefighters must participate in this plan. Police employees contribute 11.6% of salary and Fire employees contribute 7.7% of salary to the plan.
SOCIAL SECURITY: Participation is mandatory. Employees contribute at the current established rate.
457(b) DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN: Employees are eligible to participate in an IRS 457(b) deferred compensation program. This plan allows employees to defer a portion of their income on a pre-tax basis. Contributions are invested at the employee's direction on a tax deferred basis.
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Employees experiencing problems that affect their personal lives and job performance may take advantage of confidential assessment and referral services.
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE: Employees may apply for reimbursement for tuition costs after completion of 6 months of employment. Prior course approval is required. The maximum annual reimbursement is $1500 contingent upon County funding.
LONG TERM DISABILITY BENEFITS: Employees who have completed 6 months of service are enrolled in the LTD plan. After 6 months of disability, plan may pay 60% of base monthly pay up to $2500 per month. The County pays the entire cost of this benefit.
DISABILITY LEAVE BANK: Employees have established a Disability Leave Bank to which employees may donate disability leave in order to be eligible to receive salary and benefit protection when they are absent due to a serious disabling illness or injury and have exhausted all accrued leave. Employees are eligible to join the Bank after having completed 1 year of employment. Administration of the Bank, including the review and approval of claims for grants of time, is handled in accordance with the Bank's Rules and Regulations which are available in the Office of Human Resources.
VOLUNTARY BENEFIT OPTIONS: Employees may elect to enroll in long term care insurance, critical illness insurance, short term disability income protection, universal life insurance, and discounted auto/homeowner's insurance programs.
CREDIT UNION: Employees may participate in the Tower Federal Credit Union through payroll deductions. Loans are also available to qualified applicants.
01
Your application, which includes any associated supplemental questions, must be complete at the time of submission and must clearly articulate the required work experience relevant to the position for which you are applying. The submitted electronic document must outline accurate dates to include (month and year) in association with each work history entry. Vague descriptions of experience will not be considered. Please include all pertinent experience in your application to include, full or part time, volunteer, military, acting capacity, or any other such work history that is applicable to the position for which you wish to be considered. Descriptions of duties that state "see resume" will negatively impact your candidacy as resumes cannot be substituted in lieu of a completed application. Applicants will not be contacted for clarification or additional information.

• I have read and understand the language outlined above.

02
Are you willing to accept a salary offer within the salary hiring range commensurate with applicable experience/qualifications? $48,194 - $54,371

• Yes, I am willing to accept the starting salary hiring range.
• No, I am not willing to accept the starting salary hiring range.

03
Do you possess a High School Diploma or GED, and four (4) years of experience collecting, testing and reporting of water and wastewater samples?

• Yes
• No

04
If you possess four (4) years of experience collecting, testing and reporting of water and wastewater samples, please explain where you acquired this experience including employer name, dates of employment and position responsibilities. Be advised that "See Resume" is not an adequate response.
05
Have you completed college level coursework in science or related courses?

• Yes
• No

06
If you have completed college level coursework in science or related courses, please explain where you completed this coursework and provide course titles. If you have not take college level coursework, please state "Not Applicable" (N/A), Be advised that "See Resume" is not an adequate response.
07
Do you possess experience in skilled laboratory testing and analytical work?

• Yes
• No

08
If you possess experience in skilled laboratory testing and analytical work, where did you acquire this experience? Please include employer names, dates of employment and specific duties performed. Please note that 'See resume' is not an adequate response.
09
Do you possess certification as a microbiology analyst, as well as certification to collect drinking water samples?

• Yes
• No

10
If you possess certification as a microbiology analyst, as well as certification to collect drinking water samples, please explain where you acquired these certifications. Please note that 'See resume' is not an adequate response.
11
How did you hear about this position?

• NEOGOV/GOVT Jobs
• Linked In
• Maryland Association of Counties
• National Association of Counties
• CEAM
• ASCE
• Indeed
• Employee Referral
• Maryland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• Maryland Recreation and Parks Association (MRPA)
• Handshake
• Career Fair
• Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
• International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans
• Other

12
If you indicated "Job Fair" or "Other" in the previous question, please indicate which job fair you attended and specifically how you became aware of this position. Otherwise, indicate "N/A" (Not Applicable).
13
Which of the following best describe your level of proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)?

• Beginner
• Intermediate
• Advanced
• None

14
Are you able to work some weekends on a rotating schedule?

• Yes
• No

15
Are you aware that this position requires that you function as "essential" personnel? Meaning that you are expected to work during inclement weather, emergency situations, and at an on-call basis?

• Yes
• No

16
Do you possess a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

17
I understand I am responsible for maintaining the accuracy of my contact information, including my street address, my e-mail address, and my contact telephone numbers. My failure to maintain accurate contact information may result in my not receiving information regarding this job announcement and/or may result in my not being further considered for this employment opportunity. To update this information visit click on the "career seekers" link, and follow the prompts.

• I have read and understand the language outlined above.

18
I certify that the information submitted in this application is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I understand that providing false, erroneous, and/or misleading information may result in elimination from the hiring process and termination of employment if hired.

• I have read and understand the language outlined above.

Required Question